Are you talking to me or the video person? >> The video camera. >> Okay, that's what I thought. But >> he came out and talked to us earlier. >> Very of my eyes. I've seen >> Sorry that you didn't get my sheet closed. I was thinking I I filled that out and I did and I only saved half of
it and I thought I sent it to you before I went on vacation. And so today I was like, she sent this email. She must have got mine. >> No, it's in my computer. >> Okay. >> I'll clean it up and get it to you. >> Perfect.
But I'm still waiting. St. Paul Arts and Culture Commission meeting to order for January 7th, 2026. Happy New Year everybody. Welcome back. >> Happy New Year. >> Um Jordan, would you like to take the role for us? >> I can do. Um so Tom Sonic
>> present. >> Carrie Neto >> here. >> Ashley Perfect >> here. >> Sharon Clark Williams >> here. And then Raquel Sodto, Laura String, and Eliza Verma are all absent. Uh, and then U Arosco Garcia >> here. >> And then Troy Woods
>> here. >> And our staff lays on Jordan Layman. Thank you, Jordan. Okay, so now we're going to look to adopt the agenda. Did everybody get a chance to take a look at what's in the agenda? And um, barring any changes or edits, additions that you'd like to make, we'll look for a motion to adopt the agenda as is.
>> I move to adopt the agenda. >> I second it. >> Second. by Sharon. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Agenda is moving forward. Approval of minutes. Everybody get a chance to take a look at the minutes from our December 3rd meeting. >> Yes. I had two um comments I get or like
clarifications um in the section report from commissioners where I talk about the pizza factory. It sounds like I'm just bragging that I got to eat at the pizza factory, which like in a way I I was, but I was trying to communicate the point that I'm proud of the the wealth of businesses in North St. Paul. So, um,
just a little note there. And then I don't think that I was the one who suggested pushing the penny press. I think I was trying to help do the research to make sure it could make it in 2025. So, that would be the other edit I would have, but I can write those up and send those to you, Jordan, so you don't have to worry about it. So with
those changes, I would move that we approve those minutes. >> Any other changes? Desired or recommended? >> If not, >> if not, we have a motion. Anybody want to second that? >> I'll second. >> All right, getting into it, Ash. All
right, let's go. All right, we have a motion to second. All those in favor of approving the minutes with the changes outlined by Commissioner Nadau say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. >> Minutes are approved. Meeting open to the public. We have someone from the public here. Do you want to address the
commission on anything? >> I have nothing at this time. >> Great. >> Thank you for being here. >> Wait till next month. He's thinking >> public. Okay. >> Public hearings. We don't have any commission business action items and recommendations. So, uh, we have a
couple of things here. Well, the first item A. So, do you want to walk us through that, Jordan? >> Um, so let me look at the thingy. So, according to the bylaws, at the first regular meeting of the calendar year, the commission shall elect a
chairperson and a vice chairperson from among its appointed members for a term of one year. Um, and no one shall serve more than three consecutive one-year terms as chairperson. Um, unless the challenge is not present. So, if I guess Tom, you have that would apply to you. I
don't know how long you've been chair >> since it started. >> Okay. So I think that means if someone else would like to be chair I think doesn't automatically go to them but >> you get what I mean >> right? Okay. Sorry. >> I don't want to do it. Does anyone else
want to be chair? >> No. I'm going to nominate Tom. Be it again. >> Okay. Sounds great. Tom, we nominate you. Sorry. >> No. I will second the motion for Tom though. >> Yay. Good job, Tom. >> Yay. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I >> I. >> Wow. >> Actually, my job It sounds like it
sounds like you do want to be chair chair. >> No, no, no. I just wanted to make sure it went through. >> Thanks. >> All right. All those in favor of having me be the chair again this year say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. >> All right. Motion carries. So now we
have uh we'll look for a motion to uh nominate a vice chair. >> You want to do it, Sharon? >> No. I nominate Carrie. >> Oh, Ashley. >> I'll second that motion. >> Second for Carrie. Unless you don't want. I mean, you can't define it. >> All those in favor for uh for Carrie,
please say I. I >> post. All right, Carrie, it's you and me again. >> Yay. >> All right, got that done quick. >> All right, subcommittee updates. So, we'll just jump right into our typical subcommittee updates. I don't know if
the So, we have uh Carrie, do you have anything on that? The public art project? >> I don't. Is there an update on the penny press? >> Yes, I do have some information to share. Um, so I guess I'm just going to go through my list. Um, feel free to
interrupt me if you have any questions. So I think loosely legally designs have to be in some way promoting city of North St. Paul. So I believe the current ones are fine. You know, they're great. So that's pretty I think apparent. Um, I did find out that the new die rollers
currently to get the price for those is $825 and it sounds like two I know there was talk about replacing the designs like two at a time or something. It sounds like you'd have to replace all four designs at once cuz it would be like a whole new die. >> Um, there's a 2-year warranty on the
machine and all parts. Um, but phone support is the only thing included in case of repairs. So, there is also no maintenance service or authorized repairs. just all maintenance and repairs will have to be done kind of in-house by public works. Um, but I'm sure they can get it done. They are pretty pretty handy guys. Um, and then
from talking with the finance director, card readers or machine that includes a card reader is kind of a no-go. Um, one, it just going to require power 24/7, which isn't necessarily bad. It just maybe limits our space where we can put it in um, city hall.
>> And it was $10,000. So, like I I just didn't get the quote for that one. So, >> and then it's I didn't know it was that much. Um, and then it leads to like some difficulties with like the credit card fees and daily accounting just it's kind of a mess. So, it just be easier to use physical currency. Um, so with that
machine, Carrie, I think you might know too, um, that the customer would have to provide the payment plus the coin that's going to be pressed. So, they're not preloaded or anything in there. Um, and then can I ask a question about that, Jordan?
>> Yes. Well, now there's no more pennies. It's 2026. >> Yes. So, that was going to be one of my questions for you guys is >> So, when I talked to them, I said, "What?" Because you brought that up the last time, and he said, "Actually, it's cheaper to buy copper blanks." Um, so
that they have those available that you can buy from them or from any other vendor and that works just as well. They also have adapters to do nickels and dimes. People want to do nickels and dimes, that's an option. So, I think in the case of we would prefer that people
like bring their own coin to be pressed instead of having to preload it. It just kind of smooths out the um process and then >> we don't have to deal with checking to see if it needs to refilled if it you know we need to purchase more. Um >> so that was one of the questions I was going to have like for the commission is
that let's see try to find this question. Um it sounds like from the company sounds like they either can smash one um type of change at a time. So yes, pennies are out of service right now or they're not making more, but there are
plenty out there and I don't know if people are probably going to stop taking them as currency. So I'm sure there'll be a lot people don't know what to do with or the nickel and dime. So, it sounds like if we're going to commit to one, we kind of have to commit to it for I would say a couple years at least, you know, so it's not going to be something
that's like, oh, the pennies aren't working out. Let's switch to a dime. Um, it's kind of something that we should be probably locked into for about 3 to 5 years. Not saying we can't change it down the road, but um just trying to get the gauge the commission on what we would like to do, if we'd like to still
go with the pennies, would we like to do dimes, nickels, or like the different currency? Um, yeah, just yeah, asking your guys' a recommendation on that. >> I don't have a preference. Troy, do you have a preference? >> I just have a So, when you're talking about the co
>> Sorry. So, when you're talking about the copper blanks, they're basically just, you know, >> penny sized >> discs. Y. So, could it just be a, you know, in addition to the purchase of the machine, not that I'm trying to add
money, you know, I'm I'm trying to save money, but um could we get just a bunch of those and just have a container attached to the side of the machine where somebody could >> put in their money and then just grab one to put in. And >> I love it. Makes it even easier. Um, I'm
going to say that probably not because then it should be monitored because it's copper, you know, so people will unfortunately somebody might want to grab a handful of the copper. >> Can we just have them up at the desk and as people are paying utility bills, they
can be like, "Oh, can I get a copper blank?" >> Ideally, we're trying to keep the penny press just kind of in its own. >> Absolutely. We would all love that, but I don't know that that's possible. Well, how about if we just issue using pennies and just go forward with nickels or
dimes since they are going to be widely available in circulation. >> Okay. >> I mean, I of course those of us who are old enough to remember a penny press, we're nostalgic for the, you know, the copper little thing coming out with a little whale or dinosaur on it. But I
think realistically, let's just use a coin that people are going to have readily available to them. >> Sounds great. And the snowman will look better in silver. Anyway, >> and you mentioned an adapter. Do we know how much the cost of an adapter for the nickel or dime? >> Um, I was not provided that. I can
>> I think there was a cost for it. I think they knew that the pennies were going away, so it was like, yeah, we can put in this adapter thing, but >> great. >> It's been a while since I've looked at the video for this. >> So, just so I get like an official no penny, we're going to go with like
nickel or dime. Okay. >> Yep. any preference between nickel or dime? I don't know. It's I need to clarify again with them. It sounded like they could do either or at the same time with that, but then also another email sound like they can only do a singular type. So, is there a preference between a nickel and dime? If there is no preference.
>> Okay. >> Um, let's see. And you you also mentioned that Oh, go ahead. >> Nickel's got more a nickel has more surface area >> more opportunity to get your design in. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And you had mentioned the new die
rollers are A25 and we have to replace all four >> designs. Yes. >> So is that A25 for all four or is that per design? >> I believe that is all four. It's I believe it sounds like it's the part is A25 and that part includes Yeah, the
different designs on there and >> but we could theoretically recycle two designs from our last four four die >> into the new four dye if we wanted to. Yeah, I believe I don't see why not, >> right? >> Yeah,
>> they have it on file, so >> yeah, >> because the snowman kind of has to be perpetual. >> Can't get rid of that guy. That's fair. Um, let's see. So, another question I
had is what is the recommended price or what is your guys's opinions on like what the price should be to play? Um, I was talking with Sarah. We threw out maybe a dollar just cuz it's easy. Like people people have four quarters. We're
more likely to have quarters. Um, but we wanted to get your guys' take. That was just something it's even that we thought maybe would be easy. But >> will it take a paper dollar? >> So, in order to take paper currency, that would have to they would have to upgrade the machine. Um it would have to
be again um plugged in 247 to be able to take in the paper dollar. So it would only be coin be taking in coins. So it' be a dollar or less. >> I guess I was thinking just 50 cents. Like isn't that what they normally are? 51 cents. >> Yep.
>> That's what I was thinking. >> Museums, they're typically 50 cents. >> Um I have one question and maybe this is for Carrie. Um, what were we going to do to prevent people from coming in and saying, "Oh,
I've got a dollar. I need I need um change." And going to the people working behind the counter and saying, "I need change." I mean, I I don't think we want that, >> right? Wouldn't we >> situation? Because that's really not their job. >> Yeah. I I would guess a sign on the
machine that's like only exact change or we can't give out change. staff doesn't have change, >> something like that. >> Yeah. I mean, I think it probably makes sense to write like a sign would probably be the best to just like field the most questions. I'm sure those questions still be asked, but it
probably would just be a policy if we just say unfortunately we can't give it out. Um those questions are probably going to come up, but I think a sign would help definitely mitigate a lot of that. >> Great point, Sharon. >> Oh, yes. Um let's see. What's the next
one? Um, so I talked to Ken about like next steps of what would happen to get the further approval or purchase done. And I think he recommended that due to the nature of the penny penny press. So it's just not like a routine project that the
commission's done. It's not a mural. It's not a utility box. It's kind of brand new. Um, it's a larger purchase for the commission. Um, and it wasn't completely budgeted for 2026, which isn't I'm not not the fault of the commission. And there was a lot between the staff turnover. I was new. You guys
didn't even know um that those budgets were due. Um there's a strong likelihood that probably should be presented to council for final approval. Um so somebody ideally on the penny press or the public art um subcommittee would ideally attend so they can speak
to it. Um, and I think this is also probably just like a good opportunity to show off kind of like what the commission is working for or working on and um getting the word out some visibility, you know, especially like before it gets, you know, drum up some excitement. Um, but yes, so we could
work on I probably wouldn't go to the next January council meeting there. Um, there's a lot of stuff that we have to get on there. Um, and also obviously would work with your guys' schedule or whoever would like to go. Um, but that would be something worked out maybe in a couple weeks further down the line.
Well, maybe not. Um, maybe in a week. Uh, but that's just something that would likely need to happen. >> Okay. Well, could you keep me posted on where you are with all of these other questions and maybe once we're further along with that, we can figure out when to go to council. >> Yeah, for sure. Yeah. And then I think
once it goes through council, they ask their questions. I think it's Well, this is actually another question I didn't write down. Um, is the designs for this going to are we looking for artists to do this? Are we just going to give them not the first
round? >> Okay, that was my question because I would definitely change the timeline of everything. But yeah, if we're just providing them like stamp or stock images, sounds like Yeah, they just do mockups. Sounds like be pretty quick after that council meeting. So, >> yep. Yeah, the designs are listed in
that document. Yes, it would be what the car classic car for car shows Henry Castle and Snowy. >> Yep. >> Perfect. So, that is all I have on the penny press. >> Cool. Troy, >> um I can definitely lay the groundwork
too at the next council meeting because we do >> uh commission updates and so in my commission update I can lay the groundwork for, hey, this is one of the things that we're working on and give >> everybody at least a chance to hear it ahead of time. >> Perfect. Thanks for planting that.
>> Um, all right. Anything else on the penny press? >> Anything else in public art? >> Nope. >> Okay. Uh, murals. Um, Carrie, anything you would want to add uh based on conversations with DNR or anything like that? >> We did hear back from the DNR. they are
um turning over some of their staff. So, I haven't heard back from the new person yet, but she did say um >> there likely would be some hurdles to work with DNR, which you know, government entities, that's what happens. Um but they were open to having
sculpture or art or something along the Gateway Trail. So, more to come on that, but that's my update there. >> Okay, Sharon, you got anything you want to add in there? Okay. uh utility boxes. Any update here, Sharon? >> There is no real update other than
there's no real update other than there's a plan to go forward with just two initially. And I think I might have brought that up in the last meeting. And so I'm just focusing on drafting up all of these specifics and getting that to
Jordan, which should happen real soon. >> And then to clarify, that's two in addition to the heart hands. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Which heart hands is pretty much Yeah, we're just waiting for the weather to cooperate. >> Um Raquel's not here for art cart, so we
don't have anything there. >> I did talk to Raquel and I emailed today. Okay. Um one of the things we included in our budget for art night was some additional money to have to hire an artist to come and do like an artistled art card event instead of relying on
volunteers to continuously do it. And so Raquel responded that she was open to that. And before she left, Amanda suggested talking to Sarah Fen, whoever did one of the snowies. How do you say it? >> Fen Cam, I think. >> Okay.
>> Uh, she said she would be a great person to work with. So, um, I just heard from today, so we'll reach out to her and see if we can have her lead those music in the park nights. I I feel like we could do something just as a commission for big truck night. I mean, that's pretty >> Yeah, that'd be amazing. walk up and go.
>> Um, in regards to that idea, there were some things questions staff had. I hadn't had time to kind of pull them together to ask and this is something probably more for maybe Raquel. Um, but there is I'm curious to know what the it's supposed to look like when we have
a hired artist just cuz um, for example, like when we do the art nights, we have like a limited number of participants that they're doing. Obviously, this would be, you know, people are coming and going, I guess. How does that work? Um, and then does the there would still need to be a commissioner there. So, I didn't know if
that was readily aware, but there's some other questions that I'll probably bring up later when I have more. >> That's interesting because when we first had the art cart, we just had an call out for volunteers, and so we had city staff and volunteers attend. We didn't always have a commissioner there. So, I'd like some clarification on that. No.
Um, and as far as what the person would do, I think it would just be a work for hire. So like a vendor, like when Ava gets the balloon artist to come out or the face painting to come out. So I don't think it would be like >> everyone sit down with your pencils and now we're going to draw this piece of, you know, it would be kind of like
here's what we're doing, here are the steps, here's the materials, let me know if you have questions kind of thing. Kind of like you would hire someone for a birthday party. >> Yeah, that makes sense. Does that help? >> Yeah, that does. >> Okay, >> a quick question. Just being the new kid here. Um, how do we normally source our artists um, for the different art nights?
>> Lots of different ways. For art nights, um, we have a limited number of events, so we kind of put a list together of what we want to do and work through our list, see who's available in the nights that we have the Casey Lake Park and find them that way. Otherwise, as we've been doing more events, we've, you know,
kind of made inroads with different artists. Um, for murals, sometimes we do a call for artists, which is sometimes successful and sometimes not. So, all kinds of different ways. >> Great. Thanks. Yeah. >> So, the idea here though would be to have um
>> to hire an artist to be at the art cart maybe on the big truck night like our first one in the summer. >> I was thinking more the music in the parks night cuz that's like a couple hour long event cuz you know how in the past Amanda would just come up with the idea and like source it all and work with Jordan to get the materials and we don't have Amanda anymore. So, this is
kind of the >> pay to replace that sort of thing. Does that make sense? >> Yep. Makes perfect sense. Yeah. I thought Raquel was doing kind of the bulk of that work, but that's uh either way. >> Yeah. >> Um Yeah. So, music at the park. >> I don't know if what Ashley's background
is, but maybe you'd want to lead something. >> So, just Yeah. And I wanted to just kind of point out um I don't know if uh Jordan has shown you any of this stuff yet, Ashley, but as you're listening through, we go through this every month is kind of talk through our major
subcommittees that we have. Um and the subcommittees, you know, initially we set up subcommittees because um it was just a way for us to get more done because if it's if you just meet once a month for like an hour, it's impossible
to get anything done. And by having seven people on the commission, we could have subcommittees that could be two or three people without violating the open meeting laws. >> Yep. Um, so, uh, with up to three people working on a subcommittee, they could do
work between our monthly meetings to help, uh, propel any of the our projects forward. Um, so as you're listening through here, what we have had now for the last several years. Um, these have evolved a little bit, but we've had like
a public art subcommittee, a mural subcommittee, the utility boxes subcommittee, which is, as you know, as you're probably familiar with these utility box wraps, um, our art cart, our big orange art wagon, which we have a new one yet now. Yeah.
>> Yes. >> So, that's cool. So, it's not It's black, I think. Right. >> Yeah. >> But, we'll get some stickers on it. Then we have an art night uh subcommittee and then kind of our autumn arts festival subcommittee. We've uh
the arts and culture commission started the autumn arts festival about four years ago, three or four years ago. Um but it's since been taken over by our what is AA's title? Community development. >> Um I believe she's like community um events and uh communications
coordinator. >> Okay. So, so she's kind of taken it over as an event rather than coming out of the Arts and Culture Commission budget. Um, but that's a that's our big kind of end of the summer uh uh big harrah that we have everybody from the commission
involved in. But what we're always looking for people that that can help um because what we have done is uh Amanda and I Amanda is our commissioner who just left at the end of last year. Um, we had kind of led the the the Autumn
Arts Festival first and and Carrie also, but then we had uh since Ava took it over, uh, Amanda and I had stayed as primary contacts of that. >> Okay, great. >> So, we still need some help there, but so there's there's openings on these. So, if there's any of these
subcommittees that you're hearing that you say, I'm really interested in that, >> you know, let me know. >> Sure. Have openings right now. >> What's that? which could um >> well well currently so we it's just Raquel on the art cart
um and just me on the autumn arts festival but >> it's just me on art night >> and just you on art night >> I know I'd like to help with art night >> yeah I have Amanda fantastic >> yeah that'd be great I'm going to put you down on that >> and honestly if there are any others that sound I mean we could probably use
a mix up and our committees I don't know I'll speak for myself >> yeah we can we can absolutely you talk about it >> some of the things as well >> mix up all of our >> um but yeah nothing you have to make a decision on today um but just so that
you know those subcommittees are there and then usually um you know if we've got a project cooking we'll usually try and meet a couple times in between our monthly meetings with the subcommittee to try and get something done can oftenimes include a lot more emails or
side meetings or whatever you know you know once something gets gets uh gets going, there can be um more to do there. Um so, speaking of that, art night. Were we done with art night or did we even talk about it yet?
>> Um we are done with art night, but um I sent I don't think it's in the packet. I sent the list of all of the nights for art night. I would really appreciate not being the only person who hosts the art night. So, if everybody could >> You just got somebody. But if everybody
if you have a a day that's open or a a project that you'd like to do. I think I sent it around but it was December. So >> I don't I don't know if I got it. I can look do some digging and see. I did include like the events calendar. The
art nights are on there but >> Oh, they are. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Well, this this one says 2025. Is it actually? >> I might have accidentally not changed that. >> Gosh, >> we have one coming up, correct? In February. Yes. Yes, I I saw that on the email that came out from the city today.
>> Okay. So, this actually is 2026. >> Yes, I believe the February 5th one is available. It was made available today actually, I think, to be >> Yeah, you can register for now. >> I saw that advertised. >> I can do February and March, but if anybody has uh the April one is um icing
flooding on cookies, so I think we're doing five different cookie designs for the spring. I can't remember what Heidi is doing. Oh, is that candles? Candle making. >> Um, Jeremy is doing the snow snowman pillow or snow person pillow.
>> And then Sarah is doing is it a painting, a canvas? >> Um, I think it's supposed to be fall themed. I don't think we've nailed down quite exactly what the >> I wasn't sure what her craft was when I just got the photo. I didn't know what media that was. So, okay. Well, anyway,
if anyone has um availability, that would be great. And um Jordan is fantastic. She's got all these dates. She talks to public works and they set up the tables because they're very heavy. So, you just have to organize the tables, um put the chairs out, um pick
up the check from Jordan. There's a whole list of how to do it that I wrote up. So, >> okay. >> Yeah, I'll have some availability. I'll check by calendar. >> Oh, fantastic. But I had planned on being there for the fifth. So we can do that as a learn the rope. >> Let's do that. Yeah, we'll we'll double
team it. Okay. >> What is the art night on March 19th? I I didn't hear what you said. >> That's a canvas um painting one. So we'll have to get She's actually Lisa used to be on our commission. So she's volunteering. She's donating her time to
host that one. She does other classes. Um but we are going to pull some of the canvases from the art cart to use that. And actually, that was something Raquel asked if we should try to maybe combine the art cart and the art nights since it seems like those are kind of blending a little bit. So maybe something to
discuss in future, >> the warmer weather ones anyway. >> Yeah, we're six art nights this year. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> And then some art events at I mean that's why all of these things are on here, right? is because we were supposed
to come up with some sort of art activity at all of these. >> Yeah. Is the music in the park number two still the date in July to be determined? >> Yes. I This is I drew this from Ava's um event calendar, at least the ones that weren't scheduled by us. Um and there
was no date on there. So that is Yeah. to be determined. >> Usually we all try to go to big truck night just because it's a nice way for the commission to meet. Yeah. >> community. So, if you can be there, Ashley, that would be awesome to have you. >> Um,
>> gotta get Ashley a t-shirt. >> Ashley needs a t-shirt. >> Yeah, I think that is back in the art cart somewhere. I have to go out there soon anyway. So, >> okay. Anything else on art night? >> Nope. Just let me know if you have want to do any of these days.
>> Yeah, I'll look at it. I can I'm sure I could probably take one. Let Can Can you put me down for May 7th? >> Yep. >> And then I'll just see if I have any issues there. Okay, moving on. Where are we? We got
subcommittee updates. Okay, so we are now on old business. Any old business? Well, did was you going to make a subcommittee? >> No. Okay. I thought you had an idea that you for a subcommittee you wanted to do and we were going to talk about it in
January. Okay, never mind. >> No, that's fine. Just making sure. A lot going on. >> Um, okay. Uh, reports from staff updated project process document and calendar. Jordan, you want to take that one? Uh
yeah. Um I didn't know Troy if you wanted to you had a little blurb that you wanted to say maybe. >> Yeah. So I'll do this. Um so there have been a lot of emails going around about the
project plans and like asks from the city about what we're what we as the city council is kind of expecting, what we're wanting. And one of the things to be aware of is budget planning starts in like April. Um
I know Tom is aware of this, but starting in April, we start planning for 2020. So we'll start April of 2026 for 2027. So the sooner we know about potential plans, the better off we are, the better we can better we can make
sure that that money stays in the budget and gets accounted for. And so I know Jordan has asked for, you know, plans for 2026 by the end of 2025. And part of that is we came up with or
the project plan that we've kind of put together was put together at the beginning of well not at the beginning of December, but later in 2025. And so we're I mean for all intents and purposes, we're about a year behind
really. Um, and so in 2026, not only do we need to kind of figure out what we want to do in 2026, but ideally what we want to do in 2027. And I know that's a big ask, but when we're talking about
the initial plans, those initial plans, what we're, they don't have to be detailed. They don't have to be we want to do, you know, for for example, you know, a mural. We want to do a mural on this building and we're going to do this artist and we're gonna have this picture and it's going to cost exactly this much
and we're planning to start this state. Does not need to be that detailed. What we're looking for is just ba a basic placeholder. We want to do a mural. We're thinking one of these three public buildings. Um, and we think it should be, you know, history related or, you
know, something like that. And we expect it to be about this much money. And we're hoping that the business owner will pay a quarter, you know, things like that. So that we have we can say, okay, you know, for the arts and culture commission, you know, there's mural,
there's this and this and this that total bam, that's the that's your budget. Not to say that, you know, if something comes up and you want more money, we're going to be like, well, your budget was this, there's no more money to be had. That's not the case at
all. But when we're doing the budget, it helps to know like >> Yeah, >> what >> And I will say that the Arts and Culture Commission is a little bit of a different beast than all the other commissions because
it's its own entity really. The planning commission doesn't really have expenses. The closest partner, closest other example would be the parks commission, but the parks commission is a little bit different
because they have the ability to say, "Oh, well, we want to do this, but public works is just going to do that as a side project and we don't have to budget for that. It can come out of public works budget." >> So, there's a it's a little bit different um
than you know, arts and culture. So, it's I don't want to say there's more scrutiny on this, but it's just we're still trying to figure out >> Well, it fluctuates, right? I mean, >> figure things out. Yeah. >> Not only is it a weird different commission, but you know, we try to do
art projects and sometimes art projects work out great and sometimes they flop, right? >> You know, so um in my head, I feel like I know what's happening for the next five years for this commission, right? because every year and and I think it's taken a while to get to that cuz when we first started like I don't know about
you Tom but I we were I was like I don't know give give another $5,000 to that line item because I don't know how much things are going to cost because we were brand new. >> I feel like I'm at a point now where I have a better sense of where we're going to be year after year. In my head we're doing a couple utility boxes every year
a mural 10 to 15,000 12 to$15,000 for a mural. a couple art nights, a couple of music in the park nights, and then some other public art, public engagement, community hoo-ha, right, that we plan. So, in my
in my head, that's pretty simple and pretty straightforward and I don't see a lot of variance with it, but maybe that just wasn't communicated or lost or maybe >> well, >> I don't know. I mean I think part of that is knowing part of it is that yeah
it does it fluctuates a little bit but you know it is a little bit we want to do this and this and this you know about the same >> but just having that you know kind of line items down in the budget to you know as a placeholder so that we can better I we as a city council can better
say this is where the money going to the arts and culture commission is going is we're spending you know about this much money for this mural about this much money for this versus we're just giving a bucket, you know, >> right? >> What I hear you saying, Troy, is you would like to have it more formally
documented like a tear sheet, one sheet we could accomplish this on actually. Yeah. >> For the amount of information you need and that just needs to be drafted and given to you by April of 2026 for 2027. Yeah. >> Correct. Yep.
>> And we are um I did talk to um Jordan and Ken and we are working on having a for having a shared document um because of open meeting law. We can't have everybody have edited access to it, but the commission
leads uh chairs um Tom and Carrie now again and Jordan would have access to it. And so you guys, the the thought is that you guys could kind of set it up what you think needs to work and then how it is going to work best for you and
then we'll make it work. >> So, so it's an opportunity for you guys to have, you know, because part of the problem is um I know just like with work, you know, like a your day job, you get a lot of emails and something falls
through the falls through the cracks. you miss an email or you miss a a a team's message or something like that and it's just like oh well did you see that message I sent you? No, I was busy doing something else and I don't want that to happen and so we need to find a good way to make sure that things are
documented, things are tracked. >> Have we ever had a budget subcommittee? Not to create more subcommittees, but >> no. Um but I will say um that our budget uh requests with their line items have been almost identical for the last four
years. I mean since we started budgets. Um and the what the only thing that has really changed is the amount requested which has increased after the first year. Um so when we look at you know the budget request like the budget request
we put in for 2026 which would have been probably mid April or mid year last year. It outlined these it seems to me Troy uh you know forgive me but it seems almost
exactly what you're asking for. It seems like we've been doing what you're asking for. So when we put it, you know, so we have utility box wraps. That's and everybody knows what that is because for 2026, our budget request was for phase 4
of this. So so the the city understands what that is and and how those dollars are used. Art cart supplies that you know and it's very minor mural project. We put in uh money for a mural
project based on um the expectation to try and execute two different murals throughout the year and and ballparking what that cost is based on murals that we've done in the past. And those murals are often times um like you said, it's
going to be almost impossible to say, hey, you know, by April we're going to know a mural that we're going to do with somebody in 2027. because sometimes it's like things have to kind of come together just right in order to get that uh get that those things arranged. And
sometimes, like in the case of the uh mural that we did on the uh the dumpster garage or whatever they call it, um that thing was thrown together in a matter of weeks, you know. Um we had money left over in that budget where we could do
that. We got approvals very quickly and we and and we got it done. Um, so but but because the mural project already was a line item where this money was set aside for that very thing, so people understand what that money is for. Now
you look at like this year uh in in in 2025 um there's if if you look at our budget page, there's a lot of money that we didn't use. >> Um and there's various reasons for that. And as Carrie mentioned, you know,
sometimes you have these projects where you they start to come together and then they fall apart for different reasons, right? You know, and so there was a a mural that we were planning to execute on in 2025 and we pulled the plug on it because we didn't think it would be high
enough quality for the city for what we expect, right? So, and that kind of thing can happen. And hey, so the money goes back to the general fund. Great. No harm, no foul, right? But so repeating that same thing. So when we when we put together our budget as it is for the
last several years, it's with all of that thinking in mind that these are based on specific things that we are going to try and accomplish in in the next year without getting too detailed on any of those things, right? Y >> So, so I guess I would ask, you know,
cuz and this has worked for four years so far, but so I guess I would ask if we were to do something different for our budget uh proposal for 2027, how would it be different from what we what we've been doing? >> I think having maybe even a little bit
more detail, >> a little more detail >> like like I said, you know, the knowing that we want to do a mural, >> right? >> Yeah. a mural, but um where would you know where do we think that mural is going to go? Do we do we have someplace in mind that we
think it could go? >> Could I uh interject too? Um I think this is like knowing getting like preliminary approvals which I think having just a slightly more detailed budget with like slightly just like a name for a project like the historical
society like thing if we knew that like a little bit more time in advance. It's just really just the timing of it. Just knowing where we want it, kind of the maybe general theme. We've talked to a third party, just like a little bit of groundwork done on the project to work
with because this is also something for me. This is not just the budget. This that's a big part of it, but like just so I know what I need to expect for the coming year. It's so I can plan, I can pivot, I can work with this stuff cuz it's feels like a lot of times I'm going in blind. And you know, for you guys who
have been on the commission for since it started, it does to you. It's like, yeah, this makes sense. This is what we've been doing. I've been here for a year. I didn't know, you know, these sort of sorts of things. Having more detail is probably the best thing for me, if that makes sense.
>> It sounds to me like that's two different things. It sounds to me like there's the budget process that we must do in April, and now we know the date and so we can have it ready to go. And then we have the sheet for you. That's the, you know, where it is, what it is, who's the artist, different approvals,
all that. So, it's to me it sounds like two things happening. But am I wrong there? >> I would say they're two things that kind of work together. >> Sure. >> To contribute to each other. >> What I'm hearing from Troy is instead of saying like, let's pretend this was last year. >> Yeah.
>> So, instead of me saying, "Hey, Troy, tell them I'm going to do two utility boxes." I would say, "No, I want to do two utility boxes. one with the theme for the car show, one with a theme of nature. And so that gives them like a little bit better idea, a little bit of
a push to say, "Okay, I get it. I can see where this is going." Right? >> And I say like, "Okay, well, one's going to be downtown, one's going to be at Silver Lake. >> That's even better." So, it's no detail. I still haven't done any work, right? >> But I've given them the subject, the
theme, >> and the location, and the medium. >> Yep. even boxes, maybe a a list of, you know, here's a utility boxes, >> you know, kind of maybe prior priority list. Like we think we're going to, you know,
>> that's what we had and then we got told that we couldn't use that one utility box, you know? So, it's like damned if you do, damned if you don't. >> Yeah. So I just in defense like that there's been a so much staff turner to turn turn over that that box was
included by John um as a box that was you know he was looking for boxes that were in the open in public um or very like visible and in good condition and then you know that wasn't seen by Brian. Brian had concerns you know that just were not brought up and I understand
there was a lot of frustration with that. Um, but it's it's truly is unfortunate with the staff turnover. Like it's just been a really big mix and jumble of information. It's it's been difficult for you guys for sure. Like I mean there's been it's hard to have that consistency, you know.
>> So, but I think we could do that base is just the subject theme, location, medium. I just worry about murals because it feels like that just we have such a we have such a >> murals I know we don't know on that >> murals might be a bad example. >> Yeah.
>> Well I threw that out there >> to be frank with the murals if we don't have a call for artists that goes out before this and this is someone that has not gone through the mural process fully that we're getting to end. Right. But my
fear is having calls for artists go out in like April, May, and having to rush because there's a timeline on the weather, right? Is that I ideally would like calls to come out January, February, March. I mean, January might be really early, but as soon as possible
so that we can so I'm not having to rush because weather >> because I feel like that was Yeah. Yeah. I feel like with the historical society project that was like kind of always in the back of my mind like it was like >> oh see and we did the dumpster building in November so it's like
>> you know it just kind of depends. >> September we did it in November. >> Quick question about the budget. I I understand the more spec uh specificity that way when you're asked like what is that bucket for? Um it sounds like we need to pivot sometimes. what kind of
flexibility, you know, say we submit things to you, it gets approved by council, you know, here's your money and we do have to pivot. Um, would that be something we would need to get approved through council again or just kind of like anecdotally like, hey, that box wasn't available, so we're moving the location to somewhere else
>> for things like utility boxes? Probably not. Okay. >> If it were um we have an opportunity, you know, something came up like we have an opportunity to do a a third mirror. We have plans to do two, but we had a opportunity to do a third. >> Murals are a bit a bigger expense. And
so something like that, we probably would want somebody to come and say, "Hey, we have an opportunity. This just came up. It presented itself would be great opportunity to do it. Take advantage of it. Now, can we get more money?" Yes, that. But,
you know, if it's we had planned to do one here and it's that one fell apart, can we do it here instead? you know, as long as timing works out and you know, yeah, probably >> as long as it's not more money basically, we would have flexibility to kind of change directions. Great. Yep. >> Thanks.
>> Yeah, that's my understanding. As long as it's in the budget. >> Yeah, >> it should you theor I mean the city of North St. Paul decided they wanted an arts and culture commission. The council approved us and consent agenda to be the commissioners of that commission and then we put together this
budget and they approved that. So, however we spend that budget is theoretically already approved. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Uh, anything else you want to add, Troy? Or so mostly on the budget process? Is that what you wanted to do? >> Yeah. Okay.
>> And then, like I said, the sharement, you know, we'll get that set up and see >> Okay. >> how that works. >> I think that'll be nice. >> An opportunity to >> Yeah. share >> just keep everyone accountable. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Um uh anything else, Jordan, that you
wanted to cover as far as the process or anything like that? >> Uh no, unless anyone else has any questions for me or anything. >> Okay. Uh let's see. Um so then we have the 2026 budget and event calendar. any I know we kind of
covered some of that as we were talking through um the art nights. Anything else we want to cover here? >> I think just for Ashley, the June big truck night and the fall roundup parade, that's something that we all try to be at.
>> And the autumn arts festival. >> Oh my god. And the autumn arts festival is all hands on deck. We'll be tapping your husband for some additional support as well. >> Um yeah, but those are the big ones to put on your calendar. New is the time capsule opening. That's like a once in
a-lifetime thing. So that'll be fun to see what's survived in there. Is it a hundred years? >> No, it's from the b from the bsentennial. So >> Okay. >> Good. They put >> Yeah. So everybody everybody please get those dates on your calendar. The big
truck night, time capsule opening, autumn arts festival, and fall roundup parade. Those are where we expect all commissioners to be present if possible. And I guess I would assume, you know, big truck night um generally falls on one of the car show nights. It does, but
now that the car shows is car show is changing. >> Yeah. Well, we're going to have to get an update from you on that during your council liaison. >> I uh wonder if that >> that date might change. >> If that date is still a published date
already, >> it's going to be every other Friday night. >> Yeah. >> I don't remember what they are, though. No, >> I imagine the city is getting a lot of flack for that based on >> the Facebook thing that I saw >> a bit.
>> I can address that a little bit later. >> We'll get that in your update. Um, any other questions about the event schedule plan? >> Okay. >> Um, so, >> um, I I do have one question about these
events. Um, the December event's not on here, >> but it seemed like I' I haven't been to it, but my understanding is there's always a request for us to be at the Holly Jolly night that
>> Oh, right. >> I can add it. I think on Ava's calendar, she did not have you guys listed, but I can add it to this calendar. >> Be helpful. Yeah, good call out, Sharon. I mean, there's usually not an art side to that, but it's more just a ask
for volunteers. >> But remember, she asked us last year to do an art thing, and we were all so fried from all of our other art things. So maybe if we have it on the calendar earlier, we can save some energy for it and or hire somebody to do a >> build a snowman something. I don't know. >> Plan for it.
>> Plan ahead. Yeah. Okay. Um, reports from commissioners. So, um, Ashley, I'll I'll come back to you, but this is what we do at the end of every meeting on item 10 is to just go if if each commissioner has any kind of
updates about what's going on in the arts world in your world, um, or in North St. Paul or anything that you're aware of or anything that you want to plug or advertise. Uh this is an opportunity to do that. You don't have to share anything if you don't have anything but um opportunity to add any
any thoughts or updates. Uh Sharon, so can we start with you? Do you have anything? >> No, I do not have any art things. All I can say is um wash your hands. Don't get the flu. >> Yeah. >> Amen.
>> That that's my ad for tonight. wash your hands. >> Nothing for me. >> Nothing for me. >> And nothing for me. So, and do you have anything Ashley that you'd like to talk about or >> I don't have anything but just excited to work with you guys and >> you know and if I if I might I don't
think Sharon and Carrie and you Ed have met you yet. No, maybe. Right. So, I don't know if you want to for for them and and for our our public >> you have a little background >> there. We get sometimes nearly 10 people watch this video.
>> Oh wow. I was probably one of them. >> You know there are millions millions of fans out there. Um so maybe if you want to just tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to the Arts and Culture Commission in North St. Paul. >> Sure. So I've been in North St. Paul for about a year. Um I bought a house over
off Apache. Um really quickly fell in love with North St. Paul. Um it's uh joined the arts and culture commission because I was a commissioner and city leaison for city of Redwing for a little bit. Um and I really just enjoy helping
get creativity out in the public. Um I have a background in project management. So I am going to be if you guys don't have someone yet a process and you know form gal. Um but I also like to volunteer and participate in creativity. So I'm a photographer and fiber artist.
So I do a lot of that stuff. So, yes, I do have some skills. >> Did you make your scarf? >> I did. >> Oh my god, it's gorgeous. >> Do Do you ever do um like art festivals yourself or participate as a maker? >> No, I had in the past, but I find that um I just like to make things. I do a
lot of donations. So, um you know, I do a lot of of making different things for different charities and things like that, mainly to help people out and also cuz after a while, your family doesn't want anymore. Um, but no, I I find that um I I been an
entrepreneur in the past. Um, I was a professional lifestyle blogger for 10 years um before where I work now. Um, and I find that I want to keep my passions, my passion. So, my photography and uh knitting is mainly just for me and my family members. Um, but yeah, so I I I come from a project management
experience. I've been uh working for ELAB for seven years today actually. Um, so really like my processes just to make sure that everything flows smoothly and really excited to hear more about what you guys do. Um, on a personal note, I'm
just recently married. That's the perfect last name comes with all its dad jokes. Thanks to the mayor. He's got some great ones. Um, yeah. So I've been in Minnesota for almost 13 years now, but I've lived in 14 states. >> Wow.
>> Um, so I'm new to North St. Paul, but really looking to build some community roots. And um as soon as I told everybody at work where I moved, I've learned about North St. Paul toilet races that, you know, I've been asked to reinstate. I'm kidding. Um
>> you remember that, Sharon? The toilet races? >> No, >> I don't remember that. >> Yeah. One of my bosses at work, he was born and raised North St. Paul, and he's like, "Do you know about the snowman? And also, do you know about the toilet races through downtown?" And I was like, "No, I'll have to ask about that. Maybe that can be one of our designs in the
penny press. >> Right. Maybe. Maybe. Toilet. Maybe. >> Have no recollection of that. >> Yeah. Me either. >> But I was excited to um when I learned about the commission, I reached out to Jordan. I was like, "Hey, you know, you guys have you term limits? What's what's
you know the situation here?" Um I was really excited about the creativity that you guys do within the community that it you don't have to be a capital A artist to be an artist, which is really where my passion is. Um, so really excited to help spread that joy and get out there
and um, spread awareness about what we do. >> Fantastic. >> Great. Well, thanks Ashley. We're happy to have you on board. And I don't want to forget, I want to introduce you to UE, who's our student commissioner. He's a student at North St. Paul High School. And, uh, U, do you have any updates you
want to share with us? >> Um, updates, yes. >> Great. >> Not in the art world, though. my personal um December I gave like a speech I guess um at the school board meeting. >> Oh, good.
>> Regarding ICE situation and I think that went really well. >> Um also I completely forgot about the the subcommittee. I've been just like flocked with a bunch of planning for school stuff
>> like events. Um, we have uh like the talent show coming up. We have the spring formal coming up. So, all that planning. >> Well, I think he has a whole another year, right? So, >> yeah. >> Yeah. So, you got time. >> Thankfully. >> Yep. >> Um
>> Oh, I'm 16 now. >> Oh, no. >> I feel the back the back pain coming in on >> um other than that. >> Sweet. >> Nothing much. >> That's great. He's going to be president. >> Yes. Actually, I was going to say it'd be a good time to get a picture with
you, Ed uh this year because he's uh he'll be president of the United States someday >> after our last student commissioner who will also be president of the United States. She was also >> highly highly driven. >> Um but we have been really fortunate in
our student commissioners. We got some great great kids coming up. >> Me, too. >> Young young adults. Um, all right. So, we're going to hand it over to uh Troy then. Updates from the council leaison. >> Um, we had our first city council meeting of the year last night. Super
quick. We were done in 15 minutes. >> Wow. >> So, um, >> those are those are nice, aren't they? >> Yeah. Uh, not much going on to begin the year. Um big big point of discussion is around the changes to the car show and some of the statements that they made in
their >> uh statement that went out. >> Um we are inviting the public if anybody has any questions, concerns about this to come to the city council meeting on the 20th and we will discuss it. Um
there will be an opportunity to address the uh statement that the history cruisers made about city politics being part of why they are changing to every other week for the car shows. So
>> any sneak peek you can give us on that? >> Um all I can say is that the city council's responsibility is the public safety of the city. >> Yeah. um of our citizens and all the all the people coming to any event in the city. And so we hold that very dear to
our heart. Uh we want to make sure that people coming to visit the city and our residents are safe regardless of the event. And we're trying to um hold all events to the same standards as each other um and not make too many exceptions or anything like that. So,
>> I think maybe a lot of people don't understand that the city doesn't run or operate the car show, right? That is correct. >> I think people think the city should do this or that with the car show and the the history cruisers runs the car show. It's completely independent of the city.
>> Yep. They organize the volunteers. They organize the um they set the the standards for what cars and what vehicles can participate in their car in the car show. um what food vendors can come, where the food vendors
are, things like that. They plan all that. Um so >> yeah. >> Yeah, that is the city provide uh we make sure that the street is closed off for them. Um reroute traffic. We provide some police um services to make sure
that there's public safety available and things like that. And um like I said um we you know just want to make sure everybody's safe at the events. >> I didn't realize somebody was telling me businesses have to pay in for the car show or something.
>> I'm not aware of that. >> Maybe the uh uh vendors like food trucks. >> Well um somebody was talking to love and they were saying that they had to like pay in to be part of it or I don't know. I guess I don't >> I think if you want to be a sponsor
>> Oh, so >> Oh, okay. It's not like >> So, some of the So, the car shows are sponsored by >> Yeah. >> each one is like big truck night is sponsored by the city of North St. Paul. >> Sure. >> Um and so we design the little >> the dash plaque >> dash plaque that goes on that is
provided to the car to the car owners and things like that. And then we're the ones that pick the >> winner car. Okay. >> Um I had the opportunity last year um on that rainy big truck to pick the winner um because I was the only uh city
council member that happened to be down there. >> Congratulations. >> Um but yeah, so we picked the but if you're a sponsor of the car show, yes, you do I think you pay to help sponsor it. Um, you get a design, you get your name on all the flyers and everything sponsored by
>> um, so yeah, >> I will say while I know I knew that it was not a city event, I don't think it's very clear to the public because it's called the North St. Paul car show. >> Yes. >> I mean, that's how it's it's really
history cruise, but it is referred to colloquial throughout the state as the North St. Paul car show on Friday nights in the summer. Yes. >> And so, >> yeah, it is technically the History Cruisers Friday car show, >> right? >> And the History Cruisers just happens to
be the car club based in North St. Paul. >> So, >> that's why it'll be so great to have a penny press with the History Cruisers logo on it because we can really get the word out about that. >> That's going to make all the difference. >> All that's all it took. >> Perfect.
>> But I guess one of the concerns that the history cruisers had was about volunteerism. um and some of the guff I guess so to speak the problems that some of their volunteers had with residents and with or not residents with
uh people wanting to participate or wanting to >> um be a patron. Uh just walk around the car show. Um just be nice people. >> Yeah, >> just be nice. And uh if you have an opportunity to volunteer and can volunteer to help them out, great. And
if you're visiting the car show, just remember all these people are volunteers. There's no reason to get mad at them. >> So, >> yeah, I saw their Facebook post and there was it was kind of cryptic. There were a lot of things that were >> Yeah.
>> you know, alluded to, but it's like, well, what what >> No. Yeah. Nothing specific in there or anything like that. >> And it seemed like a lot of people were willing to volunteer once they put that up there. like they didn't know that they needed volunteers. >> I think that that is true there that
people did not know they could actually be a part of the event itself >> or even how to volunteer. I think my understanding is that they didn't have they don't have like a click here to volunteer kind of button on their website or anything like that from what I understand.
>> But yeah, we uh they I can't remember what I was going to say, but yeah. Yeah, it was a little bit cryptic, a little bit um >> Yeah, I I just hope that you know this year goes well that >> Yeah.
>> and that we can get back to a little bit of normaly for the car show. >> Last year was just a rough year. Um it rained virtually every Friday night. >> Yes. >> Because we go every Friday night and so I can tell you for certain it was raining.
>> Yeah. >> Virtually every Friday. >> Anything else, Troy? Um, no. >> Can I ask a question? Um, >> absolutely. >> The North St. Paul Area Business Association, is that now a chamber of
commerce or is that a separate entity? >> I think that's different. >> Is it different? Okay. Because I think that's different. >> Getting emails for the Chamber of Commerce. I'm like, I didn't think we had a Chamber of Commerce. I thought it was a business association. >> I don't I think it's just the North St. Paul Business Association. I don't think we have a Chamber of Commerce.
>> Okay. So, I wonder. And there's the >> Who's emailing me then? Um >> maybe it's fake. >> Oh, I got fished. >> Um I personally love the chlorine in the water. Um I know people don't like it.
Is it the chlorine >> put in the water? >> I think I think it's >> fine. Is it our new normal? >> No. >> Okay. >> Um so on that note, um I don't
I'm trying to think what I can say. >> Oh, are you not allowed to say anything? >> We So, there is a push from the state. So, we are one of two communities about our size, over 10,000 people that do not chlorinate our water. We've never really had a need to um because we have a
closed water system. We have our own wells. We, you know, it's very normally very secure except when we do uh road work or water main rements. And that's what we believe happened here. Um so we
found it got it confirmed by the state um and chlorinated because of that. Um as of now my understanding is that the chlorine levels are under far under what
the city or what the state even says is the maximum you know what it could be to be safe. >> Yeah. Um, I know people have concerns about the smell of the water or the um effects on your skin or effects on your,
you know, on plants or your pets and things like that. The amount of chlorine in the water is not harmful um to anyone necessarily. Um, it's enough to kill bacteria and things like that. That's about it. Um it is a change from what
we've had in the past. So maybe that is part of it as well, but it's not harmful. Um our goal with it is that once we determine that the bacteria is no longer present to remove the
chlorine, let it circulate for a little bit. Make sure that the bacteria doesn't return and that it is truly gone. that's the case, then we will keep it out um until the state mandates that all cities have to >> coordinate their water, which
>> we'll see. >> Thanks for keeping up with that. That's >> right. >> Yeah. >> What's on the city council's docket for this year? >> Um we have our planning workshop coming up, I think, in February, um where we will
kind of sit down. One of the things that, and I don't know if I've ever talked about this, but one of the things that came out last year was um we sat down and went through what's important to the city council and what's it was one of the first times we had city employees
there. >> So, the department heads came uh the chief of the pl chief of police, the fire chief, um public works, uh electric department. Um we're all represented there. And so our facilitator asked
what's important to the city council and what's important to the city employees. And it was kind of eye opening about some of the things that were important to the city council but not so important to the >> uh uh city employees and vice versa. >> One of the things that was important to
the city employees was a uh the lock system for the buildings. Mhm. >> Um because I don't know you guys have seen the lock the punch code locks on the doors. Um those historically they're out of maintenance, they're out of
support. >> Um historically break and anytime we get a new employee or someone who needs to have access to certain doors, somebody has to go around to each of those doors and reprogram them. >> And even then, it might not work because I've been here a year and I can only get
in one door. Yeah. >> So, um, >> and we weren't aware of that, you know, city as city council. We didn't know that this was such an issue because they put it on there that this is something that they want to do and we're like, well, why do you care about that? And so, they explained it to us and we're
like, yeah, that is kind of a big deal. It seems like a real pain in the butt, >> right? >> Um, and so now they're working on a they've got a bid. They're working on uh plans for implementation of a new system that would be completely uh controlled
here um and remote and so it's going to make everything better. You know, Tom joins the public works department. Tom Sonic needs access to this door, this door, this door, this door. Bam, done. >> You know, versus having to send somebody out to those doors to reprogram. >> I'm happy to hear that that was their
big issue. Well, no, it I mean that's not the big issue, but that was just one of the things that kind of came up as, you know, it kind of points out that awareness of >> the awareness, the difference in >> scope, I guess, so to speak, of what we as city council, we're looking at, you
know, the city. >> Yeah. >> And, you know, the city employees are looking at, you know, kind of day-to-day operational kind of things, right? >> And this is one of those things that would have completely >> like we wouldn't have noticed. >> Wow. Um >> that's really cool that you did that then.
>> So um but yeah, I mean it's things like that that just you know kind of helps you understand you know the different perspectives of people and yeah so our plans for 2027 um we've got a lot of maintenance work
coming up. So, one of the things that we've found is that historically the uh I don't want to throw anybody under the bus or anything, but previous councils, previous, you know, um have not been great about maintenance on some of the
buildings and things like that. So, there's a lot of things coming due and so we're trying to prioritize what needs to be done when, what can kind of be put off and so try and get through a lot of that. >> That seems like a neverending story, Troy. I mean, I heard that every year when I was on council. We didn't
>> we didn't plan for maintenance, right? >> So, are we going to do it now? >> Yeah. So, >> I mean, isn't that a big part of the story of the community center? >> Yeah. >> That they never built in maintenance, >> never planned for maintenance. And so, the community center did not get maintained. And that's part of why it's
in the state that it is now. >> Um, basically, for all intents and purposes, unusable, right? >> Um, because it's Yeah. Not it would not be safe for inhabit inhabitability.
That's not really a word, but um >> so yeah. >> Anything else? >> Um no, not that I can think of. >> Anybody else got anything for Troy? All right. If not, we'll look for a
motion to adjurnn. >> I will make a motion to adjurnn. >> Moves. I'll second. >> Second by Ashley. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppose. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Thanks everybody.
>> Thank you.